Thread holding and cutting device



June 25, 1946. 1.. K. TRACK THREAD HOLDING AND CUTTING DEVICE Filed Nov. 11, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l L auras/6- flack June 25, 1946. 1.. K. TRACK 2,402,696

THREAD HOLDING ANT) CUTTING DEVICE Filed Nov. 11, 1943 2 Sheets-Shet 2 INVENTOR 4 Zaurez Pack Fig-15. BY

A ORNEY Patented June 25, 1946 UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE r THREAD nonnmo AND CUTTING DEVICE Laura K. Track, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application November 11, 1943, Serial No. 509,865 18 Claims. (01. 242-139) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a thread holding and cutting device.

More particularly, the invention contemplates an improved device as mentioned whichmay hold spools of thread of various sizes, and which may be used at home or in commercial establishments, An important featureof the new thread holder resides in the fact that the threads will always be separated and will not become tangled. More particularly, the invention contemplates the construction of an article as mentioned which is characterized'by a base, a plurality of vertical posts, and a rod for receiving a spool of thread pivotally mounted on each post, except one end post, and adapted to be pivoted from a vertical position to a horizontal position. -In the vertical position a spool of thread may be easily engaged on each rod. In the horizontal position it is proposed that these rods have their free ends rested upon the vertical posts for supporting them in a way to prevent the spools of thread from accidentally coming off.

It is also contemplated to provide a locking mechanism for locking the rods in their horizontal positions. 7

Still further the invention proposes the provision of a cutter or cutters for the thread mounted on the base by which the thread may be cut when desired.

For further comprehension of this invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

' In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig, 1 is a perspective view of a thread holding and cutting device constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view looking in the direction of the line 4f of Fig. 2, with certain parts broken away to disclose interior parts.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the rods for receiving a spool of thread.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the cutters 'used in the device.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modified cutter for the device.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a modified cutter for the device.

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of a. thread holding and cutting device constructed in accordance with another form of this invention,

Fig. 10 is a plan view of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line I l-i l of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line l2-|2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view similar to 0 Fig. 11 but illustrated with the parts in a different position.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs, 1-5 inclusive, the thread holding and cutting device, in accordance with this invention, includes 15 a base l5 of metal, wood, composition or similar materials. A plurality of vertical posts iii are mounted in a straight line on the base 15. A rod I! for receiving a, spool of thread I8, is mounted on each of the posts Is, except the post at the extreme left. Each rod i1 is pivotally mounted on the top of the post it by a intle l9. Each rod I1 is of tubular or solid form, At one end it is cut out to have a pair of ears .20. Each post I6 is cut out at the top to have a vertically projecting lug 2|. The pintle l9 passes through the lug 2i and the ears 20 and thus pivotally supports the rod.

Each rod i1 is directed towards the left, and

has its left end cut out to present a pair of downwardly extending prongs 22. These prongs are adapted to snap over the right hand ends of the adjacent rods [1, except the rod I! which is at the extreme left. This latter rod is adapted to snap over the top end of the post I6 at the left.

A thread cutter 23 for each spool I8 is mounted on the base l5 to the front of the spool. Each thread cutter 23 comprises a member having a central portion adapted to be attached to the base I5 and a pair of end hooks 24 having sharpened edges beneath which the thread may be engaged and cut.

The operation of the thread holding and cutting device is as follows:

Any one of the rods i1 may be pivoted upwards, as for example, schematically indicated by the dash lines in Figs. 1 and 2. The spool I8 may be by slipping it beneath the cutting edges of the cutter 23.

In Fig. '7 a modified form of cutter 23' which comprises a blade having a sharp top edge 24', is shown. This blade 23' also has an opening 25 for a fastening element. When this blade is ed across the rod 32. 'urge'the rods 32 forwards into positions in which 'the largeends 34 of the bayonet slots 34 encircle mounted on a base it is necessary that the base be formed with a slot into which the bottom portion of the cutter 23' be engaged. Then the fastening element may be engaged through the base and into the opening to hold the cutter in position.

In Fig. 8 another cutter 23" has been illustrated which is of triangular shape and has a V- shaped top cutting edge 24",. "Ihuscutter23'f has an Qpening25 by "which on a base.

The thread holding and cutting device, in ac cordance with the invention illustratedin Figs?!) to 13 includes a base of metarwood, 'compo'sie".

tion or Bakelite, or similar materials. A plurality of vertical posts3i are mounted ina 'str'aiighu line on the base 30. A rod .32' for receiving a spool of thread, schematically indicatedby "numeral 33, is pivotally mounted on the top of'eac'h" post 3!, except one end -post 3|. Each rod 32 is adapted to'be pivoted from a vertical position in which it maybe conveniently receive the spool of threadft'o a horizontal position in which it supports the spool of thread so that the thread may be g aw off as needed. Means is provided for locking the rods 32 in their horizontal positions.

The locking means mentioned in the latter portion of the previousparagraph functions in a certain 'way which is characterized by each of the rods 32 sliding into and out of'lccking-positions, as desired. More specifically, each rod 32 is formed with a bayonet slot'34 in the sides there- 'of,whi ch is engagedbya pintle rod '35 for supporting the rod 32 to pivo't and slide. Each bayonet slot 34 has'a circular end 34 which when engaged about the pintle rod35 permits'the rod 3 2 'to pivot." Each bayonet slot-34 also has a re.-

dlic'ed'end 34 which whenjengaged about the jpintle rod 35 locks'the rod 32 in arhorizontal position. Each pintle rod 35 is'mounte'd across the bifurcated upper end "33 "ofxeach post 3|. 'One end 'of each rod 32 is slightly flattened and the adjacentend of the adjacent rod 32 is slightly enlarged to fit in and about'the fingers of the bifurcated end "36,see Fig. 12. A spring 31 is dis:- posed within each rod 32 and is connected between the rod'35 and a pin 38 sta'tio'narily mount- These springs 31 resiliently the rods 35.

' A bracket39 is mounted upon the vertical post 3| "and supports a latching camt lil. This-latching cam4n is turnably mounted on the bracket 39. It is provided with'a handle ll bywhich it may be conveniently turned. The latching cam 40 issubstantially of: oval shape. At'the ends of its major axis it is provided with niches 42 adapted to engage'againstand hold'the free end of the adjacent rod 32 in arrearwa'rd position.

The 'top of the post 3] forms a support for the free end of the adjacentro'd32. The top of the central two posts 3| have rearward projecting side'lug portions 43' which .form, supports for the free ends of the'otherrods*32. -The free'ends of these latterrods 32 are'provided'with small pins 44 which normally engage into 7' apertures '45 formed in an adjacent one-of the'rods 32.

'The operation of the'd'evicemaybe understood from thefollowin'g:v a V With the parts as illustrated in Fig, -9 the cam *40 is holding the aljacent rod -32 in'"a rearw ard positionland. this rod '32 is'injdirectly holdi-ng the other-rods -32 infrearward positions" becausegjof theen'g'agement or the "pins. 44 in the openings 45.

In this condition of th device all of the rods 32 are latched in their horizontal positions because the small ends 34 of the bayonet slots are engaging square pintle rods 35.

If it is desired to remove one of the spools 33 it is necessary that thelatching cam 4|] be turned through 90. It may be turned by turning the handle 4|. This frees the rods 32 and the springs 31 will immediately urge them forwards so that 0 thef'large ends" 3 1% of the-'bayonet=slots'%34 now encircle themes 35. Anyone of the rods 32 may now be pivoted, upwards to vertical position, as for example illustrated in Fig. 13. A spool of thread imayibeqremoved or engaged thereon, as .15 desired. Ih e rods 32 may be relocked in their horizontal' positions by re-engaging the pins 44 with the. openings 45 and re-engaging the large cam-l0 with the front end of the adjacent rod 32, as illustrated in Fig. 9.

A thread cutter 48 is mounted upon the base 30. Thisthread cutter 'is formed with an-upwardly directed end '49 having a downwardly directed knife portionill, and a downwardly directed'end '51 having a knife portion. Thread from any 25 one of the spools'may be cut by engaging it against one or the other'of the knife portions of the cutter '48.

It is to be understood "that the device may be enclosed in a cabinet of any desiredshape and -30 material.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be'understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the :35 right is reserved toall changesxand modifications coming within the" scope of theinvention' as de' fined in the appended. claims. 7 Havingf'thus described-my invention, what I -claim as new, "anddes'ire to secure by United A0 States Letters Patent is: Y

' 1; A thread'holding'device, comprising a-base, a plurality of 'verticalposts'mountedin a straight line on said base, a rod pivotally' mounted on' all except theend one of 'saidposts and adapted to 45 receive a spout of. thread, and-one end of "each'rod extending laterally and resting upon an adjacent nd' ofan'adjacent rod except the rod-adjacent the post without 'a'rod whichextends laterally 'and'rests uponthe top of the post without the rod.

'2. let-thread holding device, comprising a base, a' plurality'of vertical "posts mounted in a straight line" on said-base, ia' rodpivot'ally mounted on-all except the end one of said-posts'and adapte'd'to receive a sp'o ol =of thread, and 'an" end of each rodv extending laterally andresting upon an adjacent'en'd ofan-adjacentrod exceptthe rod adjacent the post without a rod which extends laterally and rests upon-the-top of the post without the'rod each rodand'itspost being pivotally connected together with a pintle.

:3. *A thread holding. device; comprising a base, a pluralit of vertical posts mounted in a straight line on said base, a rod pivotally mounted on'all except the end one ofsaidposts-and adapted to --receive 'a' spool of"thread, 'and'oneend of each rod extending laterally and Testing upon an-adjacent end ofanadjacent red-except the rod adjacent the post without a-rod -which.-extends'lat- 'erally and rests upon'the top-of the post-without the rod, each rod -and its post'being pivotally connected together with a' pintle; each rod being formed with a pair of ears through which the pi'n lern s 4. A thread holding device, comprising :a base,

a plurality of vertical posts mounted in a straight line on said base, a rod pivotally mounted on all except the end one of said posts and adapted to receive a spool of thread, and one end of each rod extending laterall and resting upon an adjacent end of an adjacent rod except the rod adjacent the post without a rod which extends laterally and rests upon the top of the post without the rod, the front end of each rod being formed with a pair of downwardly engaging prongs adapted to engage over the adjacent end of an adjacent rod or post in the case of the last rod.

5. A thread holding device, comprising a base, a plurality of vertical posts mounted in a straight line on said base, a rod for receiving a spool of thread and pivotally and very slightly slidably mounted on the top of each post except one end post and adapted to be pivoted from a vertical position to horizontal position supported on said post, means for urging said rods when in their horizontal positions into positions remote from said end post, and means for preventing said rods from pivoting while in said last mentioned positions.

6. A thread holding device comprising a base, a plurality of vertical post mounted in a straight line on said base, a rod for receiving a spool of thread and pivotally and very slightly slidably mounted on the top of each post except one end post and adapted to be pivoted from a vertical position to horizontal position supported on said post, means for urging said rods when in their horizontal positions into positions remote from said end post, and means for preventing said rods from pivoting while in said last mentioned positions, said means for urging said rods as mentioned above comprising a cam for urging the endmost rod, and means for connecting all the rods together when in a horizontal position causing them all to be similarly urged when said endmost rod is so urged.

'7. A thread holding device comprising a base, a plurality of vertical posts mounted in a straight line on said base, a rod for receiving a spool of thread and pivotally and very slightly slidably mounted on the top of each post except one end post and adapted to be pivoted from a vertical position to horizontal position supported on said post, means for urging said rods when in their horizontal positions into positions remote from said end post, and means for preventing said rods from pivoting while in said last mentioned positions, said means for holding said rods in the remote position mentioned above comprising a bracket mounted on one of the rods and a latch cam mounted on said bracket engageable with one of the rods to hold it as required.

8. A thread holding device comprising a base, a plurality of vertical posts mounted in a straight line on said base, a rod for receiving a spool of thread and pivotally and very slightly slidably mounted on the top of eachpost except one end post and adapted to be pivoted from a vertical position to horizontal position supported on said post, means for urging said rods when in their horizontal positions into positions remote from said end post, and means for preventing said rods from pivoting while in said last mentioned positions, comprisin bayonet slots coaxial with the pivoting points of the rods and having enlarged ends engaging the pintles of the pivots which permits pivotin and having reduced ends engaging noncircular portions of the pivots to lock the rods when urged by said means.

LAURA K. TRACK. 

